All in Communication
Not only is Germany considered the land of rules but it’s also seen as the land of the rules followers. Prussian values, Martin Luther and hyperinflation have all been credited with shaping this ordered society. Are all Germans really obsessed by the rules and has the pandemic changed that perception?
There are many reasons people end up living in Germany. Some may already have a job waiting for them but for many the first step on the ladder of employment is working as an English teacher. What can a new English trainer expect from work in Germany and is it all as good as it seems?
Listening to some, it would be easy to assume that Germany is a land of impoliteness. Are the Germans really impolite or are we all missing something?
There are many native English speakers in Germany who find the liberal use of English swear words by Germans both surprising and disturbing. Why might Germans find English swear words so appealing?
Language learning has dropped throughout the UK, but many still hold on to the belief that “Everyone speaks English”. Is this really true in Germany? If so, why do so many Germans find English native-speakers so hard to understand?
I’ve often admired the German ability to separate private lives from work lives. Speaking English seems to change this cultural rule, opening up conversations and allowing people to speak frankly. However, is this honesty always refreshing?
“Der Kater” or “the cat” is how Germans lovingly refer to a hangover. Germany has many suggestions for how to rid yourself of the feline presence from a traditional breakfast to a certain type of fish, but is the best answer simply good old pragmatism?
A sudden health issue is alarming enough but when it happens in a different country, even one you know well, there are extra anxieties to deal with. Can you explain the problem in a different language, will you accidentally say the wrong word and end up losing something you’d have preferred to keep, and what exactly is the German for bedside manner?
The simple question ‘How are you?’ can cause consternation in Germany. Is it really a question or another example of dishonest and superficial English communication? Honesty is seemingly prized by Germans in communication, but is this the case in all areas of German life?
A new child is reason to celebrate…except in #Germany. Here I'm not ‘Dad’ I'm ‘Papa’. It's fine for a character in Grimm’s Fairy Tales, but I've no intention of kicking in the doors of a gingerbread house. What do you do when you're forcibly rebranded?
Are the Muppets racist, are radical students taking over, should we be worried by the arrival of wokeness to Germany? Reading the German media recently has been a journey in borrowed language and arguments from across the Atlantic, but what could this mean for Germany going into September’s election?
Dating in Germany is full of pitfalls, even more so when you’re trying to find a match online. Our new contributor, Shariya Dilini Algama takes us through her own experiences of what to expect and why so many of her matches seem more interested in her nationality than in their comparability.
Formality in any culture is a minefield. In Germany they have rules that make things easier, but only if you can deprogram your own native culture. What’s different about formality in Germany and why might British humour create more trouble than laughs?
Receiving feedback in Germany is an extreme sport, especially if you’re not prepared for the unvarnished truth. Are Germans refreshingly honest or simply lacking in tact?
The economic influence of the US on Europe is well known, but often the Germans I speak to dismiss the cultural importance of the US. How much impact does US culture have on Germany and why might some choose to ignore it?
Random strangers correcting each other is just a part of the everyday in Germany. Unsolicited advice on all manner of topics can be surprising, especially for more indirect cultures, like the British. What drives the German society of auto-correction?
In Germany they say order is essential, which can sound restrictive, but does create clarity. How does the German desire for order effect daily life and why does it often create conflict with native-English speakers?
According to surveys of expats, it’s hard to settle in Germany and difficult to make friends here. How is German unfriendliness measured and why might it be so difficult for migrants to make friends?
Germany has a reputation as a country dominated by rules. That might not be completely true, but there are a lot of rules both official and unofficial, but what do you do if you have no idea what the rules are?
It's easy to get confused in Germany, but it’s often just as easy to cause the confusion. Why might saying thanks to the bis driver seem odd and how did ordering chips in a restaurant lead to a minor international incident?
